FEC Keeps Hands Off Online Political Speech

“Federal regulators approved new rules on Monday that take a largely laissez-faire approach toward governing political speech and advertising on the Internet, at least for now.

“In a 6-0 vote, the Federal Election Commission adopted 107 pages of rules detailing long-awaited final regulations that primarily focus on paid political advertisements appearing on Web sites. They would also extend a broad exemption enjoyed by traditional news organizations to the online world–everything from Slate and Salon.com to soapboxing bloggers.

“Until now, Internet politicking has been essentially unregulated, which proponents of online free speech say has led to no substantial problems. But now that a formal regulatory framework is in place, they argue, it will be tempting for the government to add to it over time and gradually stifle robust Internet debate.”